Meaning trap
take off
become successful
To suddenly become popular or successful.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To suddenly become popular or successful.
Another meaning of 'take off' is 'plane leaves the ground'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Her online business really took off last year.work
- Social media platforms have taken off in recent years, changing the way people communicate.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: take off (no object)
WrongHer channel took off successfully.
RightHer channel really took off.
'Take off' already means become successful — don't add 'successfully'. Use 'really' for emphasis.
Patterntake off (no object)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Take off' is the everyday verb for sudden success; 'experienced rapid commercial growth' is report-speak.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take off + successthe businessher careerthe appreally
Don't confuse it
Different from 'start', which just means to begin.
Related
- take off (plane leaves the ground) — Another meaning of 'take off' is 'plane leaves the ground'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.